“I think it’s outrageous that the Mayor is attempting to seek this nomination,” said J. Paul Vance, Jr. “This is a classic example that the political old guard is alive and well in Waterbury and back room dealings are still rampant. Mike Jarjura’s actions show that he is willing to forsake his own party for political gain. He clearly cannot decide if he is a Democrat, Republican, or Independent – just as he cannot decide if he is a full-time land developer or full-time mayor.”

However I’ve been in and out of Waterbury for 25 years and haven’t ever heard anything negative about the man’s integrity or character; and you should be aware that virtually everyone I know in Waterbury is an active Republican.

I’m of the impression that if Paul Vance, Jr. says something he believes it to be truthful.

‘Vancy’– funny, I had some coaches call me that when I was younger and when thought that I had athletic talent.

WATR news is running a story today about this and I was told that Mr. Jarjura indicated to the reporter that the cross-endorsement would not mean that he was running on the GOP line in November. Either he does not fully understand the concept of the endorsement/nomination process OR he was not honest with the reporter. I think it is wrong and bad for Waterbury government.

Our city and our government is strongest when it has a loyal opposition party. It is my goal to have the Democrats remain the majority and it is important that the minority party operates as a strong and informed watchdog. I have friends in other parties who will be seeking the office and it is important that no party operates as a rubber stamp. By trying to make deals with two parties, Jarjura seems to be trying to shut the light off in the hen house.

I have some great friends in the Waterbury GOP and have had conversations with folks about their possible Mayoral slot opening. I let my GOP friends know that I am a registered Democrat and that I will not ‘toss aside’ Democrats who would run with me and support me as part of my team, even if it would benefit me personally.

Below was what was in the Republican American this past Monday the 20th, there is no link because the Brass Tacks section in not in the electronic edition:

“WATERBURY
Republicans may cross endorse
Waterbury will have to wait another week before learning the Republican Party’s candidate for mayor.
The convention that had originally been planned for Wednesday at the Veterans of Foreign Wars post on Baldwin Street has been moved to July 27, the same night the Democratic Town Committee meets to decide whether it will endorse incumbent Michael J. Jarjura or Board of Aldermen President J. Paul Vance Jr.
Republican vice chairman Jason Van Stone said the convention was moved to accommodate candidate vacation schedules. He refused to discuss the Republican Town Committee’s likely candidate at the top of its city ticket. He said Republicans are focused on stripping the Independent Party of minority status.
The only Republican who had announced his interest in the top elected seat, Donald Reilly, backed out of the race earlier this summer after preliminary polls found him unable to boot incumbent Democrat Michael J. Jarjura. Since then, Republicans have considered cross endorsing Jarjura.
Party insiders are considering a cross endorsement as away to team up and take down the Independent Party, especially those Independents sitting on the Board of Aldermen. Some Democrats are uneasy about it, however, and the effect it might have on the Democratic underticket.

Jarjura campaign manager Bobby Brown confirmed the cross endorsement was a possibility, but said it would be up to Jarjura himself to decide whether he would accept a Republican endorsement if it were offered. This week, Jarjura urged volunteers to drum up support for his whole ticket, not just him.”- Waterbury Republican American, July 20, 2009, Brass Tacks.

Keep up the good work and feel free to check in on my website- votevance.com

Oh please – that we didn’t collapse financially like the Democratic state central did hardly means we’re wallowing in cash. We didn’t have to lay anyone off because our chairman works a lot harder than yours.
He has to.
Considering how badly outnumbered we are, the poor guy wakes up every morning with that “Gen. Custer” feeling.

The day we start paying people to post on blogs will probably never come.

And let’s face it, Mr Vance is babbling about something that is really none of his business which is who the Republican party is going to nominate. To make matters worse, he then tries to twist it into an attack on Jarjura which misleading and just plain sleazy. NOTHING anywhere says that Jarjura is actively seeking the Republican nomination. Look at the news stories that Vance HIMSELF posted.

“
Republican vice chairman Jason Van Stone said the convention was moved to accommodate candidate vacation schedules. He refused to discuss the Republican Town Committee’s likely candidate at the top of its city ticket. He said Republicans are focused on stripping the Independent Party of minority status.

So come on “Vancy” where’s the proof other than your own speculation?

Then we’ve got this familionaire guy saying:

Awfully quick with the ‘liar’ there Brenda. Jarjura’s campaign manager confirmed this was the case in the Rep-Am.

which is very different from what was actually in Rep-Am which is this:

Jarjura campaign manager Bobby Brown confirmed the cross endorsement was a possibility, but said it would be up to Jarjura himself to decide whether he would accept a Republican endorsement if it were offered. This week, Jarjura urged volunteers to drum up support for his whole ticket, not just him.”- Waterbury Republican American, July 20, 2009, Brass Tacks.

Jarjura’s campaign manager DID NOT “confirm” anything as you said he did. If you can find a story in the Rep-Am that supports your claim then great but otherwise you sir are a liar. And if you’ll also notice, I didn’t call Vance a “liar,” I said he “sounds like” one.

Doug, you said this:

I’m of the impression that if Paul Vance, Jr. says something he believes it to be truthful.

Really now? That’s funny, now that he’s posted his twisted version of the facts here, do you still feel the same way?

I never even heard of him until today and I am so not impressed with him at all. The Democrats in Waterbury would be doing themselves a huge disservice if they don’t endorse Jarjura and go with Vance instead. Vance has a very hard time keeping the facts straight in his quest to smear Jarjura.

I’m not even a Mike Jarjura fan, I simply don’t like how Vance is operating here.